The Culture Colonel

Lieutenant General Richard Nugee served for 36 years in the Army and in the Ministry of Defence. He spent many years on operations and he specialised in the people space; finishing as Chief of Defence People. He also led a review into climate change policy and sustainability in the Ministry of Defence.Richard’s knowledge and understanding of effective leadership and culture change has developed over years of thoughtful service. He reflects on the importance of striking the balance between leading with confidence and arrogance. Richard also recognises the critical leadership trait of humility and keeping his feet on the ground; particularly when given the privilege of commanding service personnel. His mantra, developed in the early years of his career, became improving the lot of his soldiers. He explains the importance of leaders saying, “I don’t know” to create innovative solutions and establishing the conditions for all team members to feel valued. Since leaving the MOD Richard is a Strategic Advisor, Patron, Non-Executive Director, Mentor, Chair and Trustee of several organisations and charities as well as Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Follow Richard: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/richard-nugeeX: https://twitter.com/RNugee Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Toni Harding is an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Navy. She is a STEM Ambassador, mentor and works with the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces rugby team – often wearing leopard print heels! She is a thoughtful, energetic, positive disruptor who, after only four jobs in the Royal Navy, has been making big waves.  Toni has oceans of moral courage and strongly believes that good things happen when you do the right thing. Toni learnt early on the power of role modelling and how you can change culture with just one action.  She discusses the impact of having courageous conversations - it empowers others to step up and bring the best version of themselves to work. Join Toni as she shares her incisive insights that get beyond what you can see.  Take up her challenge for all leaders to get out of your comfort zone so that others can get into theirs! We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Toni enjoyed Rosie Wild's episode of The Culture Colonel, listen here: On Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/52hFHoHFum5rhk8X4UkVCnsi=ErGNq47dTvStcES17dF2wwOn Apple: apple.com/gb/podcast/to-all-the-women-who-came-before-me-with-rosie-wild/id1762448342?i=1000666053091Quotations: “Those who bring the sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves” J M BarrieFollow Toni: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-h-b0b03a50/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wafu_wonders/ Toni’s “Carried Away” Blogs:  https://timeforthirtyfive.wordpress.com/ X:  https://twitter.com/wafuwondersFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Nick Wood’s military service was dominated by 20 years of operations and defined by the privilege of leading, and following, remarkable people.  His transition out of the Army coincided with Covid which complicating the challenge of landing well. Now he is leading differently in professional services. Nick reflects on the honour of leading and the importance of learning from everyone in the team.  His extensive experience enables him to talk with confidence about the need for nurturing, coaching, training, developing and mentoring people to empower them to be the best they can be.  Nick also talks about how amateur dramatics helped him settle into life beyond uniform. Join Lindsay MacDuff and Nick Wood as they discuss the qualities of inspiring leaders.What were your challenges when leaving service? Email us at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com And if you know someone making the transition out of the armed forces, do send them this episode. Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Quotations: “Things are never as good, or as bad, as first thought” (Anon) “True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed.  Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” (Sheryl Sandberg) Follow Nick Wood: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-wood/Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Former England netballer Major Jo Vann is a Regimental Second in Command in the Army Air Corps. She's also a coach, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur.Jo tells Lindsay how sport and teamwork has enriched her life. She revels in creating cohesive teams and recognises the importance of celebrating and valuing difference – in elite sport and in the Army. Jo radiates positivity in spite of experiencing setbacks. She discusses mental resilience and the benefits of striving to create high performing teams. Her coaching expertise offers us incisive insights into what creates good culture and how to get the best from everyone in your team. Join Lindsay MacDuff’s conversation with Jo to hear about her desire, and responsibility, to pass on what was given to her; this is where she finds the richest rewards.If you have enjoyed this episode you may also like this one: To all the women who came before me - With Rosie WildSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52hFHoHFum5rhk8X4UkVCn?si=5vZC9-_vRoW-hHM1ymrdswApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/to-all-the-women-who-came-before-me-with-rosie-wild/id1762448342?i=1000666053091We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time!Articles about Jo: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/50422585 Follow Jo: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/joanna-vann/ Instagram: instagram.com/joannamvann/X: x.com/j6vannArticles about Jo: bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/50422585 Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: creative.bfbs.com/   

Dr Balissa Greene is an award winning organisational psychologist with substantial leadership experience in large complex organisations. Her focus is on diversity, inclusion and culture change. Balissa's knowledge and experience of the British Army is profound. Furthermore, her thought leadership is impressive. Her wisdom and commitment to evidence based decision making also recognises the importance of people’s lived experience. She believes coaching is about creating support and space to reflect and think. It also helps deepen effective and inclusive leadership. Balissa explains how organisational culture is about the things are valued and this drives particular types of behaviour. Join Lindsay MacDuff’s conversation with Balissa to learn about the imperative to consider intersectionality and how you can help enable authenticity and high performance in your team.We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com   Quotations: “You are what you promote” (Aidan Halligan) “Every wind is an ill wind if you don’t know which port you are sailing to” (Seneca) “The truth is that none of us can be free unless all of us are free” (attributed to Maya Angelou) “Do the best you can, until you know better and then when you know better, do better” (Brigadier Karl Harris)Resources: “Lived Experience Report” depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2282933/files Why Was It So Hard To Salute Our Sisters During Black History Month 2023? medium.com/@balissagreenecoachingClosing the Progression Gap: Executive Coaches as Essential Allies in the Career Advancement of Black Women | LinkedIn Follow Balissa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balissagreene/ Follow Lindsay:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 Thank you for listening and take care until next time! BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ 

Victoria Kinkaid is a British Army doctor specialising in women's health. She is a qualified Human Security Advisor and co-founded the Female Genital Mutilation education project. She's also been shortlisted for a 2024 Women in Defence Award.Victoria grew up in Northern Ireland and shares how dreaming big, social justice, equality and feminism have shaped her life. She is passionate about evidence based research and is committed to improving servicewomen’s health.Here she tells Lindsay MacDuff about the power of mentoring and sponsorship, as well as the importance of lifting and supporting other women to access opportunities. Victoria is on a mission to educate and inform the use of accurate language and to help with this, she brought into the studio a crocheted vulva. Listen to hear her thoughtful reflections on whether “women can have it all” and how leaders can be more effective in enabling this. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Quotations: “You can have it all, just not all at the same time” (Betty Friedan) “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step” – Chinese proverb Books Referenced: “Invisible Women” Caroline Criado Perez Other articles referenced by Victoria: Atherton Report:  Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian LifeWigston report: Defence_Report_Inappropriate_BehavioursDr Nighat Arif – on Menopause hellomagazine.com/healthandbeautyFollow Victoria: linkedin.com/in/dr-victoria-kinkaidx.com/vkinkaid11Listen to Victoria's Podcast "Virago Voices": podfollow.com/1518617892Follow Lindsay: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff Follow BFBS Creative: (for the crochet vulva): X.com/BFBSCreativelinkedin.com/company/bfbscreative/postsBFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ Thank you for listening and take care until next time!